Pemads will bring the pantomime Sinbad The Sailor to life at the Little Theatre in Central from Wednesday November 28 to Saturday December 15.
The family friendly production, written by Steven Stead, will be directed by award-winning actor and Iconic Broadway director Leslie Speyers, with musical direction by Richard Campbell and choreography by Sian-Beth Hitcher.
Glen McIlroy will play the tale’s hero Sinbad, while Abigail Ranwell plays princess Marina and Jaydee Daniel Mulder takes on the role of Dame Donna Kebab.
Director Speyers – who has often played the role of the dame in Port Elizabeth pantos – said the love of theatre had united the cast and crew.
“Whether we are watching a serious drama, a scintillating musical or a fun-filled pantomime, they all draw us in like a magical spider's web,” he said.
Although a festive season tradition in Britain, where they first were produced, pantos are not common in SA and this will be a chance for Nelson Mandela Bay families to enjoy a popular children’s tale turned into theatrical entertainment with music, topical jokes and slapstick comedy.
Speyers promises Sinbad The Sailor will deliver humour and plenty of audience interaction.
“I don’t want to give much away but there are surprises that will keep the audience entertained,” he said.
It took the cast and crew eight weeks to prepare for the pantomime and they have had to search high and low for some objects needed.
“We [also] had to find something that would look like a ship because you can’t put an actual ship on stage,” Speyers said.
He is looking forward to the reaction of the audience to seeing the colourful new costumes as well as the set.
Sinbad The Sailor is aimed at young and old, with kiddies and adult humour set to “awaken the inner child”.
“Come along, relax and enjoy light entertainment.
“You will never know unless you come and experience it for yourself,” he said.
Sinbad The Sailor will be at Pemads Little Theatre at 7.30pm on selected week nights, with 2.30pm matinees on weekends. Tickets are R90 at Computicket. Further information from Liz Jordaan, 082-561-5448 or visit the Pemads Facebook page.